QMI Agency

Mixed martial arts achieved another milestone Wednesday when Ottawa’s House of Commons passed legislative framework that removed the prohibition of MMA from Canada’s Criminal Code.

Bill S-209 updated a section of the criminal code that hadn’t been touched since 1934, clarifying the propriety of promoting MMA bouts Canada-wide.

“This is a major development for the sport of mixed martial arts as we now have a consistent legislative framework for Canada and its provinces,” said Ultimate Fighting Championship director of Canadian operations Tom Wright. “The UFC thanks Senator Bob Runciman for spearheading this initiative and MP Massimo Pacetti for piloting this through the House of Commons. We’re also appreciative of MP Ryan Leef’s support throughout this entire process.”

The UFC is the world’s largest MMA organization.

To date, Canada has hosted 12 UFC events in four cities – Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Winnipeg is scheduled to host UFC 161 on June 15 at the MTS Centre.

Mixed martial arts is currently sanctioned at the provincial level in British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec.

The UFC’s goal is to have the sport sanctioned and regulated in all 13 Canadian provinces and territories.